Manchester United are reportedly eyeing a shock move for Reds academy product James Garner, closely monitoring his situation at Everton as the transfer window looms. Garner, a former United youth player, left Old Trafford in 2022 to join the Toffees in a deal believed to be worth around £9m plus add-ons.

Garner has been turning heads with his performances for David Moyes' squad this season and is entering the final six months of his contract at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. According tothe Daily Mail, United see Garner as a cost-effective option, as they plan to splash out on Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson in the summer.

Anderson's transfer fee is expected to exceed £100m, a sum United can't afford to shell out in January.

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Everton are currently in negotiations with Garner over a new contract, with the club keen to secure a deal before the January transfer window opens next week.

While Everton have the option to extend Garner's contract by another year, they're eager to lock down the adaptable midfielder to a longer-term deal.

Garner caught the attention of England manager Thomas Tuchel after his standout performance in Everton's victory over United at Old Trafford earlier this month. The report suggests that United are keen to bring him back to Old Trafford in early January.

Garner is a product of United's academy, having joined the club as an Under-8 and worked his way up to the first team, making his debut at just 17-years-old against Crystal Palace.

Should Garner make a shocking return to Old Trafford, it could set off a chain reaction regarding departing players.

Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee have been touted for potential loan spells away from Old Trafford.

However, Amorim confirmed that no player will be permitted to depart unless replacements are secured first.

The United manager explained: "It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution. We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.

"We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media's] heads, in my head, in everybody's head, we need to win every game. It doesn't matter. There are no excuses."